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UK's first jetpack flight blasts off above London

It's surely the ultimate way to beat the rush hour. The UK's first jetpack flight took off today piloted by David Mayman, an Australian ex-commercial pilot who flew 30 metres up into the sunshine.

Credit: Twitter/@flashdba

After the four-minute flight, Mr Mayman was met with cheers and congratulations from the jetpack's designers and engineers.

It feels absolutely amazing, awesome - it's freedom.

– David Mayman

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[Video from Twitter/@flashdba]

He took off from the Royal Victoria terminal of the Emirates Air Line cable car over the Thames in east London and made two short trips back and forth towards the ExCel centre.

Having completed more than 400 test flights, Mr Mayman hopes to make an electric version of the jetpack commercially available for £196,000 with development starting in April next year after a £300,000 crowdfunding investment.

This is for the city boys who grew up in the 70s and 80s and dreamt of being a real-life Iron Man.

He's in talks with the US navy to give it a use beyond commercial flights.

David is an ex-commercial pilot and this has been a dream in the making for him for a decade.
He's done over 400 test flights and they've all gone smoothly but it is jet fuel on his back so it can be dangerous.

It retails at around the price of an Aston Martin and it is the ultimate boy's toy. It'll be a choice - either Aston Martin or jetpack to work today?